Illuminated sign



Oct. 16, 1934. SECHI 1,977,093

ILLUMINATED S IGN Filed May 14, 1934 INVENTOR Patented Oct. 16, 1934 ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE The principal object of this invention is to furnish an economical means for merchandise advertising by means of illuminated letters, displays or symbols, and thus attracting the attention of the .public passing by. Another important object of my invention consists in providing a sign which is very simple in construction, without any moving parts and serving the purpose for which it was designed; with very little expenditure of power and maintenance expense. With the above and other objects in view which will be hereafter fully described and claimed, and to further make clear the details of its working, I have attached herewith the following drawing.

In Figure 1I show the general principle of my invention. In Figure 2I show an end elevational view of the cabinet containing one unit of my device. In Figure 3-1 show a frontal view in elevation of the sign. In Figure 41 show a top plan view of the same. It should be understood that the above-mentioned drawings are only intended for illustrating the general principle and preferred arrangements of all the parts for the proper working of my invention. They are not indicating any constructional details nor showing any dimensions.

In Figure 1numeral 1, indicates a glass tubing bent in a shape to resemble the number five. Such tubing may be bent in any shape to form letters and can be made in any size. I prefer to use glass tubing, but any other transparent composition can be used in it instead. At the bottom of tube l-there is provided a reservoir 2 in which a prolongation of tubing 1 terminates. This prolongation, 3 is of smaller diameter than tubing 1. The chamber 2 is filled with a liquid which boils at a very low temperature, or at about 37 degrees centigrade. Said liquid may be colored with a coloring substance in any desired shade. The tubing 1 is partially evacuated of air, or rendered partially vacuated before the liquid is introduced and sealed therein. The liquid 4 may consist of colored wood-alcohol or ether or any other suitable liquid which boils at a low temperature. The reservoir 2 is heated to the required temperature by means oi. a few spirals of asbestos-covered wire 6, which is connected with a source of electricity 7 and regulated with a small resistance 8. When the circuit of the battery 7-is closed, the coil 6 becomes slightly hot, and the thermic energy im-- parted to the liquid in reservoir 2 renders said liquid elastic and with a certain pressure it moves up through tubing .3'inthe direction of arrow 5 thus filling the entire tubing 1. Tubing 1 being partially free of air and comparatively cold, when I the salient hot liquid goes up, it absorbs'and radiates part of its heat and the liquid by gravity will .tend .to go down again in the reservoir. It is a nrv device is based. In Figure 2 I have illustrated with 14 a cabinet made in any desired shapeand of any suitable material. This cabinet is provided with a panel 11 on which are strapped the glass units of my sign. Numerals 9 and 10 indicate said metal straps.

I prefer to evacuate my glass units from the top as indicated at 15. Inside of the cabinet I provide one or more tubular incandescent lamps 12 with a mirror reflector 13 for the purpose of illuminating by reflected light the glass units of the sign.

In Figure 3 I have indicated a front elevational view of my sign with the cover removed. Numeral 14 is thecabinet in which to any desired distance apart, one from the other, my glass units are placed. Eachunit being set on blocks 5 and held thereon by metal straps 9 and 10.,respectively.

In Figure 4 I have indicated a top plan view so of my sign. Numeral 14 indicates the cabinet and Bindicates the blocks on which are held the glass units, 2, 2 by means of straps 9 and 10. Numeral 7 indicates a source of electricity which may consist of a single dry cell or also a derivation from the 5 main light supply, depending upon the necessary number of units in the sign. This circuit which imparts the heat to the liquid reservoirs is provided with a resistance 8 and a switch 20. A tubular incandescent lamp 12 held in socket 22 with cord 23 passing through a hole 26 terminates in a plug 25 which can be connected to any 110 volt lighting receptacle. It should be understood that I have indicated in this drawing, Figure 4,

a sign consisting oftwo units. When long signs 5 are desired and requiring several dozens of units there will be required a lamp for each two units.

It should be understood that I do not intend to limit myself to the present design and method as indicated. Many changes can be made in the 1 0 present device without parting from the purpose of my invention.

Having thus described my invention which I claim and wish to be protected by Letters Patent in the United States, is as follows:

1. In combination, a cabinet, a plurality of reservoirs supported in said-cabinet, a character shaped transparent tube supported by and above each reservoir, an extension on the tube entering the reservoir,

andhaving its open and within ent character with the reservoir and having its open end within the reservoir a colored liquid partially filling the reservoir and thecharacter, and electrical means for heating the liquid and air and means for illuminating the characters.

smaAs'mmo SECHI. 

